House Manager

American Theatre Wing

29 Oct 201307:36

Summary

TLDRBrian Gner, a house manager, shares his passion for problem-solving and audience care in theater management. As a liaison between production and staff, he ensures a seamless Broadway experience. With a background in security and Marine Corps discipline, Gner's journey to managing theaters was unexpected. His responsibilities include safety checks, overseeing staff, and handling VIP guests like Michelle Obama. He finds joy in the theater's evolving energy and the camaraderie among the 'theater family,' highlighting the dynamic nature of each production and the excitement of opening nights.

Takeaways

😀 Brian Gner finds satisfaction in solving problems and making patrons happy.
🏢 As a house manager, Brian is responsible for the daily operations of the theater and acts as a liaison between the production company and the Shubert Organization.
👥 The house manager's role also includes taking care of the audience and ensuring they can enjoy a Broadway show, addressing any issues that arise.
🔗 Brian emphasizes the importance of coordinating various departments in the theater to create a seamless experience for the audience.
🔑 He carries two fire licenses, which involves ensuring fire doors are unlocked and exits are clear, highlighting the safety responsibilities of his role.
🚑 Brian has had to evacuate the theater for a fire condition successfully, underlining the seriousness of safety protocols.
🌟 He mentions handling high-profile guests like Michelle Obama, requiring high security and discretion.
🕺 The energy of the theater changes depending on the audience and the size, with full houses being ideal for the cast's performance.
🎭 The audience composition evolves over the life of a production, starting with VIPs and ending with tourists and local patrons.
👨‍👧‍👦 Brian values the sense of family in the theater, with everyone looking out for one another.
🎉 He finds the production period, including the first run-through and opening night, to be the most interesting part of working in the theater.

Q & A

What does Brian Gner find most satisfying in his role as a house manager?
-Brian Gner finds solving problems successfully and making an unhappy patron happy to be the most satisfying aspects of his role.
What is the primary responsibility of a house manager in a theater?
-A house manager is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the theater, acting as a liaison between the production company and the staff, and ensuring the audience's enjoyment of the Broadway show.
How does a house manager ensure the audience's safety during a Broadway show?
-A house manager ensures the audience's safety by checking that all fire doors are unlocked, fire exits are unobstructed, and by signing a log to confirm these checks.
What was Brian Gner's initial role in the theater industry?
-Brian Gner started in the theater industry in January 1990 as a security staff member for the Shubert Organization, working on 'Miss Saigon'.
How did Brian Gner transition from security to a house manager role?
-Brian Gner's transition began with a conversation with Mr. Shanfeld, the late chairman of the board, who took a liking to Brian's professionalism. This led to Brian expressing his interest in managing a theater, which eventually materialized.
What was the first theater that Brian Gner managed?
-Brian Gner managed the Schubert theater, starting in the middle of the run for the show 'Crazy for You'.
What are some of the shows that Brian Gner has managed at the theater?
-Brian Gner has managed shows such as 'Big the Musical', 'Chicago', 'Gypsy' with Bernadette Peters, 'Spamalot', and the current production 'Memphis'.
What is the significance of the fog that Brian Gner signs?
-The fog is an English composition book that serves as an official log, which cannot be tampered with, and is used to document the safety checks performed by the house manager.
How does Brian Gner describe the experience of having to evacuate a theater due to a fire?
-Brian Gner describes it as a scary and nerve-wracking experience, emphasizing the importance of not making any mistakes, especially with celebrities or dignitaries present.
What is the typical work schedule like for a house manager and theater staff?
-The work schedule typically starts around 6:30 PM, with ushers, front of house staff, bartenders, and stage crew reporting to work at this time. The house manager usually does a walk-through of the theater to ensure safety.
How does Brian Gner perceive the dynamic of working in a theater?
-Brian Gner perceives the dynamic as being part of one big family, where everyone looks out for each other, and each production brings a new and interesting dynamic to the theater.

Outlines

00:00

😀 The Role and Journey of a House Manager

Brian Gner, a house manager, discusses his role in ensuring a smooth day-to-day operation of the theater and the satisfaction he derives from solving problems and making patrons happy. He explains the responsibilities of a house manager, which include being a liaison between the production company and the staff, as well as ensuring the audience's enjoyment and safety during a Broadway show. Brian shares his personal journey, starting as a security personnel in 1990, catching the attention of the late chairman of the board due to his professionalism, and eventually becoming a house manager. He details the process of taking over a theater, the importance of safety protocols, and the unique challenges of managing high-profile guests like Michelle Obama.

05:02

🌟 The Dynamics of Audience Engagement and Theater Family

This paragraph delves into the energy and dynamics of a theater production, highlighting how the cast feeds off the audience's enthusiasm and how audience composition evolves over a show's lifespan. Initially attracting VIPs and Tony voters, the audience later includes tourists and local patrons, especially when discounts are offered. The speaker, Ty Lacky, a stage manager, is introduced, emphasizing the collaborative and familial atmosphere within the theater community. The paragraph concludes with reflections on the joy of witnessing a production come together, from the first run-through to the opening night, underlining the unique and interesting aspects of working in the theater.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡House Manager

A house manager is an individual responsible for the day-to-day operations of a theater, acting as a liaison between the production company and the theater staff. In the script, Brian Gner, the house manager, emphasizes the role of ensuring audience satisfaction and problem resolution, highlighting the importance of this position in the overall theater experience.

💡Broadway Show

A Broadway show refers to a theatrical production presented on Broadway in New York City, known for its high production values and professional performers. The script mentions the house manager's goal to ensure that the audience enjoys the Broadway show, indicating the central focus on the quality of the theatrical performance.

💡Department Head

A department head is the person in charge of a specific department within an organization. In the context of the script, the house manager works with various department heads to coordinate the theater's operations, ensuring a seamless experience for the audience.

💡Evacuation

Evacuation refers to the process of clearing a building or area of people to ensure safety, typically in emergencies such as fires. The script describes an instance where the house manager had to evacuate the theater due to a fire condition, underscoring the importance of safety protocols in such venues.

💡Fire Licenses

Fire licenses are certifications that allow individuals to perform specific duties related to fire safety. The house manager in the script carries two fire licenses, which is a testament to the role's responsibility in ensuring the theater's compliance with fire safety regulations.

💡Ushers

Ushers are staff members who assist audience members in finding their seats and maintaining order during a performance. The script mentions ushers as part of the front-of-house staff, indicating their role in contributing to the audience's theater experience.

💡Stage Crew

Stage crew refers to the team responsible for the technical aspects of a theatrical production, such as set changes and lighting. In the script, the stage crew is mentioned as coming in early to do a preset hour, highlighting their crucial role in preparing for the show.

💡Theater Dynamics

Theater dynamics refer to the unique energy and atmosphere created by the interaction between the performers, the production, and the audience. The script discusses how the energy changes from night to night, depending on the audience, which is a key aspect of live theater.

💡VIPs and Dignitaries

VIPs and dignitaries are important or notable individuals who may attend a performance. The script mentions handling high-profile guests like Michelle Obama, requiring special security measures and considerations for their comfort and safety.

💡Production Period

The production period is the time during which a theatrical show is prepared, rehearsed, and presented to the public. The script describes the house manager's love for the production period, emphasizing the excitement of watching a show come together and the anticipation of opening night.

💡TKTS

TKTS is a ticket booth operated by the Theatre Development Fund, offering same-day tickets for many Broadway and Off-Broadway shows at discounts. The script refers to TKTS in the context of a production winding down, indicating a strategy to attract audiences as the show nears its end.

Highlights

Solving problems and making unhappy patrons happy is a satisfying aspect of the job.

Brian Gner introduces himself as a house manager responsible for the day-to-day operation of the theater.

House managers act as a liaison between production companies and the Shubert Organization.

Ensuring audience enjoyment and addressing any problems that arise is a key role of the house manager.

Department heads manage different areas of the theater, with the house manager coordinating them for a seamless experience.

Brian Gner's journey in the theater business began in 1990 with the Shubert Organization's Security Department.

Gner's military background and professionalism caught the attention of the late chairman of the board.

An aspiration to manage a theater led to Gner's opportunity to do so, starting with the Schubert in 1995.

The house manager's role includes overseeing the renovation and transition of theater productions.

The importance of ensuring the success of Broadway productions for the stability of theater staff is emphasized.

A detailed description of the daily routine of theater staff, including ushers, bartenders, and stage crew.

Gner's responsibilities include carrying fire licenses and ensuring theater safety.

A personal account of successfully evacuating the theater during a fire incident.

The unique challenges of handling VIP guests, such as Michelle Obama, with high security measures.

The dynamic energy of theater audiences varies depending on the night and the size of the crowd.

Observing audience evolution over the lifespan of a theater production is a fascinating aspect.

The transition from VIP audiences to tourists and local patrons as a production nears its end.

The close-knit family atmosphere among theater staff and the collaborative nature of production.

The excitement of watching a theater production come together, from the first run-through to opening night.